Co-Optimus - News - Details on Assassin's Creed Unity and its Special Editions Revealed

Without a doubt, Assassin's Creed Unity was one of the showstoppers at this year's E3 showing, and not just because we learned it has a much deeper co-op mode to look forward to. For those looking for more details on the game's features, we've got some we'd like to relay from Ubisoft

Set in the year 1789, the French Revolution is fully underway. Blood is being spilt all over the place as the poor rise up to demolish the oppressive rule of the aristocrats. Due to the guilt felt from being partially responsible for the death of his adoptive father, the new Assassin's Creed protagonist, Arno Dorian, joins up with an assassination group. He wants to become a Master Assassin to reveal the inner workings of the Templars, who are the puppet masters behind the Revolution itself. Throughout the game, players will take part in many historical events, like the overtaking of the Bastille all the way to King Louis XVI's execution, as well as encountering historical figures like Napoléon, Robespierre, etc.

An all new engine is being introduced for this game, called the "Anvil Engine". The devs have used the new code along with the next gen hardware to improve upon the stealth mechanics the series is known for, along with all new parkour and combat mechanics to boot. The stealth aspects in particular are quite interesting this time around.

An all new stealth mode is able to be activated with just a simple button press, making Arno produce less noise and significantly decrease the likeliness of being detected. Even without this mechanic, a new cover system will make avoiding detection seem fluid (especially with all the architecture of Paris to utilize). The increased size of crowds will also allow for Arno to blend in or slip away easily.

In terms of combat, Ubisoft has taken many cues from the Arkham games into account. Now, players will be able to take on multiple enemies with an greater assortment of movement options. Enemies wont' be attacking one on one in this game, so dodging and parrying will be even more important than ever. If things get tough (and they will in this game), players can also choose to retreat as a strategic maneuver. This makes the new free-running mechanics even more viable.

In Unity, players can go almost anywhere they want at anytime they choose. The parkour elements allow for navigation around Paris' cityscape easy, climbing buildings with almost no restrictions to reach vantage points. Even better is that haystacks won't be necessary anymore to return to ground level: climbing back down is also an option. The emphasis of this game's character is to remove any restrictions on movement mechanics this time around.

The Anvil Engine will be injecting a ton of life into Paris for this game, in ways previously unseen in the entire series. An acute attention to interior detail is a key point here, especially with all the artwork and architecture. The huge crowds of AI characters number up to 5,000 at any time, so blending in will be a piece of cake. Also, many more side missions and activities will be offered to players as well: Treasure Hunts, Ancestral Missions, Contracts, and Murder Mysteries (should be enough to keep anyone occupied for quite a while).

As we know, Unity will support 4-player online co-op mode for heist and story based missions. Players will be able to join right into a friends game at any point seamlessly with almost no interruptions. Of course, as members of the Assassins, being communicative, coordinative, and skilled will help make playing with others much easier and help to complete missions with great success. Rewards from these missions can be shared amongst your partners, providing an additional incentive than just the experience of sharing the story.

Now, onto the numerous special editions of Unity that Ubisoft will be offering those who can't quite make the Collector's Edition already revealed (shown above). Here is info on all four recently reveled editions that we can look forward to:

Bastille Edition:

Physical content
- Assassin’s Creed® Unity game
- Exclusive Jumbo Steel Case
- A high quality artbook including concept art that inspired the game
- The official game soundtrack
- 2 lithographs in a stylized envelope

Digital content
- 2 additional single player missions for an extra 45 minutes of gameplay:
• The Chemical Revolution: Antoine Laurent de Lavoisier is considered to be the "Father of Modern Chemistry". As a result of his efforts, he was able to create the formula for a poison bomb. Unfortunately he was taken before he could give it to you. Help him escape his kidnappers and recover the formula of the precious bomb.
• The American Prisoner: After being involved in the American Revolution, Thomas Paine lived in France for most of the 1790s, becoming deeply involved in the French Revolution. Regarded by some as an enemy of the nation, he was arrested and imprisoned in a Parisian "Hotel Particulier". Infiltrate his prison, find Paine and collect all of his manuscripts before they are stolen by his enemies.

Notre Dame Edition:

Physical content
- Assassin’s Creed® Unity game
- A 39.5cm-high figurine displaying Arno proudly standing on a Gargoyle.
- Exclusive Notre Dame Collector’s Box that will allow you to display your figurine with a beautiful background
- A high quality artbook including concept arts that inspired the game
- The official game soundtrack
- 2 lithographs in a stylized envelope

Digital content
- 2 additional single player missions for an extra 45 minutes of gameplay and other additional items:
• The Chemical Revolution: Antoine Laurent de Lavoisier is considered to be the "Father of Modern Chemistry". As a result of his efforts, he was able to create the formula for a poison bomb. Unfortunately he was taken before he could give it to you. Help him escape his kidnappers and recover the formula of the precious bomb.
• The American Prisoner: After being involved in the American Revolution, Thomas Paine lived in France for most of the 1790s, becoming deeply involved in the French Revolution. Regarded by some as an enemy of the nation, he was arrested and imprisoned in a Parisian "Hotel Particulier". Infiltrate his prison, find Paine and collect all of his manuscripts before they are stolen by his enemies.

Guillotine Collector’s Case:

Physical content
- A 41cm-high figurine of Arno on a bloody Guillotine
- Exclusive Guillotine Collector’s Box
- An exclusive FuturePak™
- A high quality artbook including concept art that inspired the game
- The official game soundtrack
- 2 lithographs in a stylized envelope
- A secret map of Paris based on the in-game version
- A fully customized Tarot card game
- A framed canvas print
- A wooden music box

Digital content
- 2 additional single player missions for an extra 45 minutes of gameplay and other additional items:
• The Chemical Revolution: Antoine Laurent de Lavoisier is considered to be the "Father of Modern Chemistry". As a result of his efforts, he was able to create the formula for a poison bomb. Unfortunately he was taken before he could give it to you. Help him escape his kidnappers and recover the formula of the precious bomb.
• The American Prisoner: After being involved in the American Revolution, Thomas Paine lived in France for most of the 1790s, becoming deeply involved in the French Revolution. Regarded by some as an enemy of the nation, he was arrested and imprisoned in a Parisian "Hotel Particulier". Infiltrate his prison, find Paine and collect all of his manuscripts before they are stolen by his enemies.
• Single Players items including multiple extra weapons and outfits to improve your in game performance:
--- Prussian Pack
--- Musketeer Pack
--- Shooter Pack
--- Parade Pistol
--- Royal Arsenal PackIf all of these sound a bit too fancy for you tastes, you can go for a much simpler

Special Edition:

- Assassin’s Creed® Unity game
- 1 additional single player mission for an extra 30 minutes of gameplay:
• The Chemical Revolution: Antoine Laurent de Lavoisier is considered to be the "Father of Modern Chemistry". As a result of his efforts, he was able to create the formula for a poison bomb. Unfortunately he was taken before he could give it to you. Help him escape his kidnappers and recover the formula of the precious bomb.